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The Pocket at Pigeon Mountain WMA

I unexpectedly ended up with most of the day off yesterday and decided to head up to my favorite local hiking spot, Crockford-Pigeon Mountain WMA.

Coming in the back way from Hwy 157

I drove around a little on top of the mountain, trying to decide which trail I wanted to hike. It was foggy and the rain was supposed to start anytime.

I decided to head to the valley, specifically the Pocket area.

The Pocket was once one of the focal points of the mining that happened in the area and was the destination of the small "Dinky" track that ran through tunnels in the ridges such as the one in my Estelle thread. Several years ago the state built a wooden walkway in an area down stream from the waterfall that attracts plant photographers and many people who don't want to or can't physically hit one of the harder trails.

This was the most dangerous part of my day, I do believe. The walkway was slicker than ice.

A newer section, which replaced a portion that was wiped out by a mudslide from the side of the mountain.

As I started up the mountain on the Pocket Loop I decided that I would add the Cane Trail and possibly some of the Estelle Mine Trail to my day's wanderings.
And then the storm that had been threatening came down full force, so I didn't get any pictures of most of the trail. Those I did take while I alternated between hiking in the downpour and tucking in under rocks to avoid the lightning turned out mostly as just blurred shots.
After getting up the mountain (lots of elevation gain in a short time), I quickened my pace to the Cane Trail and dropped down to Estelle. I was soaked and enjoyed a half hour or so of break with no rain while exploring what was once an old rail bed and is now a road.

The storm started back and I retraced my route to the Cane Trail and finished the Pocket Loop. Another break in the rain gave me time to get a few more pictures and scout for some firewood.

I collected a little wood, some scavenged from older campsites.The immediate area had been picked clean of downed and hanging dead branches both (the area I was in often sees large groups of campers) so it took a little while to gather what I hoped would be enough. Everything was very wet.

The Izula 2 split some small stuff to get to the dry center.

The fire got going just as the rain started again. Thankfully it never poured hard as it had earlier in the day, just enough that I had to keep the flame covered a bit.

looked like a nice hike! i like hiking when the woods are wet - here, orange newts come out by the dozens and that unique woodsy smell. that burned hot dog reminds me of a famous hot dog spot here, called "rutt's hut". they cook the hot dogs several ways and it ranges from crispy to really burned to a crisp it's close to a charcoal texture and taste, haha.

looked like a nice hike! i like hiking when the woods are wet - here, orange newts come out by the dozens and that unique woodsy smell. that burned hot dog reminds me of a famous hot dog spot here, called "rutt's hut". they cook the hot dogs several ways and it ranges from crispy to really burned to a crisp it's close to a charcoal texture and taste, haha.

that izula 2 with the orange handles looks good!

Thanks, the more I use it with the TKC handles the more I like them.

I enjoy rainy days. It just makes everything look so bright and alive.
I don't mind my hotdogs well done, but I did have to scrape that one a little before I ate it.

Originally Posted by coldwaterboys

Looks like a cool place to spend the day. Thx for posting.

Thanks. Pigeon is great. There's always lots to do there and we are lucky enough to live just a short drive from it.

It's in NW Georgia, just outside of Lafayette in Walker County to be exact.
Pigeon is also home to Rocktown (bearthedog has a recent thread on it, I have a couple of older ones), several notable caves (Ellison's and Pettyjohn's are the two best known) and a few good hiking trails.